[gatotom]

Next month we hit 9 yrs owning this C&C 36 and enjoy every minute of it.

It took about 8 yrs for my wife to get to my level on enjoyment, now she wants to go.

I have sailed for yrs on rentals and other people's boats and it was time to belly up to the bar.

Some thoughts: get the biggest boat you are comfortable with and that includes the cost and handling. Remember the bigger the boat the bigger the cost. I consider the 36- 38 ft range as the starting point. My 38' slip costs 360.00 per month, could buy the slip but the pay back is about 20 yrs, I will not be in boating then. Maintenance is reasonable if you do it yourself, no worse than doing your own 911. Insurance is about 600.00 yr which includes unlimited towing in my waters, a steal when you need it. A few yrs ago we broke down and instead of fixing it on the water, called the tow boat. They towed me back to my slip and the guy told me that would have been a 1800.00 tow bill, I thanked him. Next day we were out on the water.

My cost basis is if we chartered a 36' boat for 2 wks, I can own a boat for less and have unlimited use of it when I want. We use our boat about 45-50 days per yr, we consume about 50-60 gal of diesel a yr.

When it comes to repair work, make sure you have the room to work on it, small boats are a pain in the arse as you get older. My boat is at that break point of being a real pain, not so flexable anymore. So next boat will have easy access to motor and have rod control steering.

Boat value depreciates to a point and then levels off as long as you maintain it in near Bristol condition .

Best day of my life was when we bought this boat, we love this RV on the water.